Honoring Mothers as we Celebrate Mother’s Day.

Today in a store nearby there was room made for beautiful bouquets of flowers. Another shelve had boxes of cream cakes, chocolate and cards. All in preparation for Mother’s Day this weekend.

There was a sense of well being in the store, as women in various array enjoyed the colours as they gazed on the display. This shop is in the middle of a built up area. Pensioners can come out to get lunch from the buffet or mothers in pyjamas can pop out for bread and milk. Would anyone think of them and give them a present?Getting cut flowers and chocolate is a language unspoken that woman understand. Someone loves them.

Sadly honoring motherhood is being eroded in society here in the west and in other nations. The covenant of marriage where the woman and children are protected by the husband and father has lost its meaning.

When Jesus lived among his people he set woman free. He had compassion on them. He did not ignore them. He raised the widow’s only son from the dead. He healed the woman with the issue of blood. She should not have been out in public. An immoral woman wiped his feet with expensive perfume. He rescued the woman who was going to be stoned.

Woman helped support Jesus. He often stayed with his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

He took his twelve disciples and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. (Luke 8:2, 3 NLT)

These woman were at the feet of the cross along with Jesus Mother when he died. They came to the tomb with spices to embalm his body. Jesus appeared to women first when he arose from the dead. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. (Luke 24:9-11 NLT)

But one scripture stands out for me is what Jesus said to the women.

A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. (Luke 23:27, 28 NLT)

Why did he say this?” Perhaps he sees they are vulnerable.

When a mother gives birth to her child she welcomes this small helpless one. She is forever changed. Her nature is to care, to comfort and nourish. She cannot be selfish. She will watch this baby grow into a tall young man or woman. How will she guide her young through life? She is the first to influence her baby. She has many years to train, pray, and lead by example.

Jesus knew it would not be easy for women. If they put their trust in him he is faithful to care, guide and comfort. He understands their every distress and wants to heal. We may weep many tears because of pain or disappointment. We may weep over our children. God will wipe away every tear and hear every prayer we cry to him. He is the only one who promises to help in time of trouble.

Jesus gives both men and women dignity and purpose in live. He brings unity. There need not be any competition.

There is no other god who is merciful.

So well done mothers for having your children, for nurturing them and then letting them go to walk their own journey.